mothers day

by Alexis - May 8, 2011

Gifts mean a lot to me. Like a lot.It can be a flower/weed you picked on the side of a sidewalk or a $5 Starbucks card. With that said I wasn’t expecting a mothers day gift but Trav came through and surprised me with one. 🙂

Have I mentioned that I collect tea pots? This one is very special.

This is from an antique store on our main street. It caught my eyes as I walked through the store. Isn’t it beautiful?!!!

This belonged to an old woman who traveled the world. And as she visited different cultures and cities she brought her own (this) tea set with her. This is a tea set that has tasted and traveled the world and for the romantic part in me… I had no control. I had to buy it.

It was brought buy the old lady’s niece. I have no idea why a family would give away such a coveted family piece. But I guess all our families value different things.

But this is a basket that is perfectly made for this set. I feel so lucky to own it and will take it with me in the future. 🙂 I love the different fabrics. So bright and beautiful.

I hope you have a great Mothers Day!

by Alexis - May 6, 2011

My mom: Creativity

I grew up thinking that most moms decorated their houses with things they made. For example, in our home, growing up in the 80’s and 90’s hearts, country style, doilies and maroon was everywhere in our living room. My mom, being the CREATIVE GENIUS she is made pretty much everything. She painted, wrote, sewed, stuffed and put her finger print on pretty much every inch of our home. (also cooked mostly from scratch) I still have the beautiful purple velvet quilt she made me which is pretty special and I get all nostalgic snuggling with Emma in it.

I can’t remember what state we were living in, but I remember going on dates with her to Hobby Lobby. It seriously felt like I was walking into Santa’s workshop. She would always always get me something small, which I would think was the best thing ever. And ever since I can remember she has always been excited about creating. Something that has been naturally passed down to me.

One memory I clearly remember is living in Albany,OR and I was maybe around 5th/6th grade, and I wanted to start my own Christmas collection. Silly things, but things that she and I went to the craft store and bought.

I so wanted to make my room an extension of the rest of the house and wanted to learn how to decorate like her. Never told her that of course, but just that I wanted my own Christmas decorations.

I remember specifically this silly probably really cheap fake Christmas tree and plastic ornaments for it. She also got me a white Nutcracker with a golden sword and black hat. I think I still have it actually. Somewhere. And I love it.

Around that time my dad was over sees for Christmas and since we couldn’t get a tree we decorated a tall fake white birch ‘tree’ we had in our living room. It was so much fun and challenging trying to get it to look nice. I specifically remember looking to the left of me at her, seeing her smiling and getting excited at what we were doing. I now understand that high.

I will call it Crafters High.

But now, years and years later, when she comes to my house I still love and desire to hear her thoughts and creative advice. Nobody has such awesome out of the box solutions like her. Sorry, my mom is better. 🙂

Mom,

You rock.

Love, Alexis

by Alexis - May 5, 2011May 5, 2011

mutti

Mom,

These next few posts are for you. I could thank you for the millions of ways you were the greatest mom. But for today: I wanted to thank you for growing me up showing what fierce love looks like.

Today in women’s group we were asked to share one special memory with our mom we had growing up. I instantly had one that is at the core of who I am thanks to you.

For my turn, I proudly shared that my memory was a continuous action of love showed by you. Growing up, when I had bad/scary/spiritual dreams, you were ALWAYS there. Showing me your love and fierce protection. You not only settled my fears but showed me how to pray and taught me how much God would never leave me-showed through you. I constantly remember, in all the different houses we lived in, falling asleep hearing you pray for me.

I remember you spending hours with me, in the wee hours, sacrificing your much needed rest and putting me first. Never complaining, telling me not to worry about it or telling me to go to bed. It is such a tender and special memory to me that influenced who I am and has bled into another generation-to Emma. Your example molded the way I parent and what it means to be there for Emma.

Because of you, Emma is the benefactor of what you sowed in me as a baby. ich liebe dich mutti!

by Alexis - May 10, 2010May 10, 2010

Mother’s Day

For Mother’s Day we went to downtown Portland and went to the Rose Gardens (which are beautiful!) and then down to the Saturday market that is also open Sunday. I thought that was sorta funny.

Tons of pictures comin’ your way….

Felt really wierd to be making cinnamon rolls early in the morning…but I said I would do them and so I had to. I would have liked to have had a crazy breakfast in bed…but we woke up kinda late and had to get going for the day.

They were amazing! I will always add dried cherries instead of raisins to my rolls. Sooo good.

It was such a beautiful day! I could not have asked for it to be more perfect. There was a moment when I was looking around, seeing Trav and Emma playing/exploring together, felt the sun and I thought…’this is a perfect moment’. I want to always remember those times.

Another perfect moment captured on film…or I mean on our memory card. (that phrase just doesn’t sound as good) This is a favorite picture of mine…thanks Trav for taking it. I love snuggling/tickling her.

I relly hope that she has a mischievousness about her. It would be cool to see that part pasted down. But do I really know what I’m hoping for? Probably not.

The arch was so beautiful and amazing. It was huge!!!!

They have this really cool amphitheater and there were tons of families there having picnics. We joined them. Emma liked people watching and watching the other kids going crazy. She just cared to take her shoes on and off. She’s a little shoe obsessed.

This look is priceless. I am so happy to got it on the camera. 🙂

Like I said earlier we went to the Portland Saturday Market after that.

The inner princess in me wanted him to make me a crown that was pink and purple. I could always say it was for Emma…

We ended up eating Hawaiian food. And thus feeding my obsession with Hawaii even more. I NEED to go. And soon, I don’t think I’ll ever live closer than I am now.

Moving to Europe and all, I think a lot about their culture and traditions. So when I saw these archs and then the date I laughed and took a picture. So old huh. 😉

And that was yesterday. Or at least a few hours of it. I was able to pick up a few things at the market and will take pictures/post of them today. We went to a BBQ after the downtown adventure (which they had amazing steaks! Thanks Corey!) and then saw a movie and hung out with Trav. Just the two of us, it was nice. And today I’m finishing with getting a mani. 🙂 Yay! What a treat, I never get them.

Hope you enjoy your Monday. peace out.